Boss Reece Prestedge accepted poor finishing cost Margate in the FA Trophy.

The Isthmian Premier outfit were left to rue missed chances in their 1-0 Third Qualifying Round loss to Harrow on Saturday – their fourth consecutive defeat in all competitions.

“It was a disappointing day,” Prestedge reflected.

“We sort of dominated for vast majorities of it. Normally, we could have gone in at half-time 2-0 or 3-0 up.”

A dominant first-half display seemed to have paid off as Gate were given a penalty on the stroke of half-time, only for player-assistant manager Ben Greenhalgh to be denied by home goalkeeper Tyler Tobin.

Margate picked up where they left off after the restart but a breakaway resulted in double jeopardy as Skye Salmon’s goal-line clearance resulted in a penalty and a red card, with Salmon appearing to use his hand to keep the ball out of the net.

Keeper Harry Seaden saved the spot-kick but couldn’t prevent the rebound being thumped in.

Gate even had the ball in the net - only to be ruled offside in the 90th minute.

Prestedge said: “Harry makes the save but we didn’t back it up. A penalty and a sending-off is like a double blow, isn’t it?

“But we still had some chances. We actually scored a goal where, if the lad doesn’t head it, it’s a goal anyway.

“They only had two or three chances and the penalty came from our mistake. It’s disappointing and frustrating.

“If you look at the game, it was a good performance but it wasn’t a good result and the result is the only thing that matters.”

Prestedge refused to blame young defender Salmon too much for the penalty.

“It’s just more of a reaction,” he said. “Nine out of the 11 players do the same thing.

“It shouldn’t have got to that stage anyway.”

The tie also saw 27-year-old midfielder Rohdell Gordon make his Gate debut.

Margate have a free weekend before hosting Chatham in Isthmian Premier on Tuesday.

Salmon will be suspended but player-coach Phil Roberts could return from an injury he sustained in the early stages of last month’s FA Cup loss to Chesham.